Clinical Laboratory Assistant

Advocate Health•Charlotte, NC

2d•$20 - $30

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Assistant collects and processes patient blood and nonblood specimens, supports specimen preparation, receipt, and transport, performs patient registration, and provides courteous phone support to patient care areas. The role receives laboratory orders, prepares documentation, performs routine laboratory tests and minor procedures, and reports in-house test results and abnormal findings to clinical staff. Duties include phlebotomy by venous and capillary puncture, urine specimen testing, maintaining accurate test documentation and specimen labeling, and working with hospital and laboratory information systems. The assistant also maintains equipment and supplies, keeps the work area clean and organized, and trains new team members or students in department processes. Work is performed in a fast-paced clinical environment with biohazardous materials and other workplace hazards, following infection-control, sterile technique, safety, and PPE requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Knowledge of laboratory techniques for performing minor laboratory tests.
Knowledge of laboratory equipment and testing sufficient to operate, clean, and sterilize equipment.
Knowledge of appropriate medical terminology for communication with staff.
Knowledge of computer systems and applications.
Knowledge of organizational policies, procedures, and protocols.
Knowledge of common safety hazards and universal precautions to establish a safe work environment.

Nice To Haves

Phlebotomy certification is preferred at facilities where phlebotomy is an assigned duty.

Responsibilities

Collect and process patient blood obtained by venipuncture and capillary puncture in a timely and accurate manner.
Process nonblood patient specimens and assist with specimen preparation, receipt, and transport.
Perform patient registration and provide polite, supportive phone assistance to patient care areas.
Maintain competency with hospital and laboratory information systems needed for job duties.
Train new team members and students in department processes and applicable standard work.
Receive laboratory orders from providers, prepare required documentation, and perform routine laboratory tests.
Maintain test documentation and label specimens according to standards; maintain knowledge of specimen collection devices and tubes.
Maintain equipment, clean and organize the work area, and stock supplies.
Perform minor laboratory procedures under minimal supervision, including chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, and immunology procedures.
Perform phlebotomy using venous and capillary puncture procedures, accounting for age-specific patient considerations and infection prevention.
Receive and collect urine specimens and perform routine tests.
Prepare specimens for procedures and tests.
Maintain supply inventory and communicate supply needs to the supervisor.
Report in-house test results and abnormal findings to clinical staff.
Follow safety, OSHA, cleanliness, infection-control, sterile-technique, and PPE requirements; prevent cross-contamination and safely handle blood and body fluids.

Benefits

Paid time off programs.
Medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability benefits.
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
Adoption assistance and paid parental leave.
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
Educational Assistance Program.
Premium pay such as shift and on-call pay, where applicable.
Incentive pay for select positions.
Opportunity for annual performance-based increases.
Career development programs.